Commissioners review preliminary budget

Wednesday

Oct 10, 2012 at 5:00 PM

After many weeks of hard work, Otero County Administrator Jean Hinkle presented the preliminary budget for Otero County in 2013.

Bette McFarren

After many weeks of hard work, Otero County Administrator Jean Hinkle presented the preliminary budget for Otero County in 2013. All department heads were asked to be conservative in their requests. Hinkle reports that the budget is balanced, in contrast with many other counties, cities and even the nation. Commissioner Kevin Karney thanked Hinkle on behalf of the commissioners and Betty Blanco, representing the local TEA party, also thanked her.

The preliminary budget includes a $30 a month cost of living salary increase for employees, plus a 10 percent health insurance increase. The health insurance increase may have to be higher in the final budget. “It is a concern that the county is budgeting to reduce the fund balance,” said Hinkle. “You will notice that the county currently plans to again spend some of its fund balance in 2013.”

“In 2013 Otero County will be the pass-through for the CDOT Transportation Enhancement Grant for $39,146, the Division of Housing Grant for the Manzanola Gardens Project for $174,956 and a CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) for Arkansas Valley Community Center (InspirationField) for $200,000.” The county is awaiting approval for the Manzanola Great Outdoors Colorado Grant for $330,000 and the Valco Ponds GOCO project for $57,430. The county will also act as pass-through for these projects if they are approved.Sharon Sisnroy reported that the logic and accuracy tests on the voting machines were going well so far, with one machine remaining to be tested. Ballots will be mailed out Friday, this weekend, or Monday. Tuesday was the last day to register for new voters, but changes may continue to be made at the clerk’s office.

Otero County Treasurer and Trustee Dennis Smith gave his quarterly public trustee report. Interest rates remain at an all-time low. Foreclosures remained steady at 23 for the quarter, a little fewer than last quarter. Releases totaled 76 manual and 82 electronic. Releases are cases which are resolved with paying the due amount on a property or arranging for new financing. Twenty new deeds were issued. In all, the trustee took in $9,300.95, expended $4,780.18, for a net gain to the county of $4,520.77.

Commissioner Kevin Karney has been testifying on conservation easement cases in district court. Keith Goodwin and Jim Baldwin will attend the Candidates Forum at the Grand Theater in Rocky Ford, 7-9 p.m. Thursday.